Staff honored by University

May 4, 2009Duke Law News

Two familiar faces around the Law School are being honored by Duke University for their work.

General Maintenance Mechanic Chip Meade is one of the University's five 2009 Presidential Award Winners. Meade was nominated for the award by his supervisor in Facilities Management, Kenneth Bridges, who praised Meade’s demeanor and dependability. "Chip is one of those employees who comes around once in a lifetime," Bridges said in an interview with Duke Today.

The Presidential Awards, the most prestigious honor given to Duke staff, recognize staff and faculty members who make unique contributions to Duke University & Health System. Each recipient receives a Presidential Medallion and a check for $1,000.

Meade is scheduled to work at the Law School every Tuesday, but is actually here more often, said Building Manager Catherine Hall. “Many times during the week we page him and he's always willing to come over and handle the problem or contact the person that can complete the job,” said Hall. “Duke should be proud to have a hard worker like Chip on the team.”

Pam Varnadoe, who has worked in the University Registrar’s Office and served as Law School Registrar for seven years before stepping down in 2007, will be honored May 28, at the Night of Duke Stars, a celebration of faculty and staff reaching career milestones.

Varnadoe, who continues to work part time in the Law School Registrar’s Office, is celebrating 30 years at Duke.

“I have been working with Pam for the last six of her almost 30 years at Duke, and she is a generous colleague and friend,” said John Spencer, Duke Law's registrar. “She is one of my favorite people on earth and no one — I mean no one — tells a better story.”

Associate Dean Liz Gustafson recalled that, when the Law School hired Varnadoe from the University Registrar’s Office, Varnadoe insisted on working with the Law School weeks prior to her official start date to help ensure a smooth transition to a new software system.

“I received an email from Pam at 7:43 a.m. one Friday, almost a month before her start date here, offering to develop something for the Law School by the following Monday morning,” Gustafson said. “She closed the email saying, ‘Can't wait to come on board.’ This epitomizes Pam's approach to her work — she always shows up early, knows what needs to be done, and accomplishes it on time and with great cheer.”

Varnadoe, in an interview with Duke Today, said that she's enjoyed working for an institution where she is "appreciated as a person."